Our 2009 Alaska Trip - Anchorage and Home

Sunday, September 6. Today, we head for Alaska to fly home. Our flight is a "red eye" leaving at 12:330 AM on Monday. We decided to take a leisurely trip and look around at some of the wildlife viewing sites around Anchorage. Before checking out, we had to dispose of some "spirits" we didn't want to "hassle" with on the flight home. Plus, I had bought an "industrial grade" pepper spray bear repellant canister that is too big to be allowed in either checked or carry on luggage and we had an el cheapo ice chest to dispose of as well. We pawned off the bear spray and ice chest on the managers of the hotel and they assured us that the cleaning crew (several young ladies from Bulgaria) would be able to handle the left over beer and wine. When we mentioned that we planned to pick up a couple of items at the Fred Meyers (large department store) in Wasilla, the managers told us that we could see Sarah Palin's house from the parking lot.

 

We drove casually on toward Anchorage, stopping at an overlook for a final view of Denali. I had wanted to get the portion of the display showing Denali in the second picture but someone was standing there taking photos and appeared to settled in waiting for sunset (it was about 11:00 AM - grin).

            

 

After tis little interlude, we headed south, stopping for a really good lunch at the Sheep Creek Lodge. We did stop at the Wasilla Fred Meyer's but we were unable to see the Governor's home - doubt that we would have recognized it if we had. After shopping at Fred Meyers, we made our way through Anchorage, south to the Seward highway which runs along Turnagain Arm, usually a good place to view wildlife. The airport is on the south side of Anchorage so we could wander around here until time to turn in the rental car. One is supposed to see baluga whales from some of the overlooks along Turnagain Arm but we, of course, saw none. After a relaxing tour up and down Turnagain Arm, we headed for the airport, turned in the rental car, waited around for a while, then flew out of Anchorage for Seattle. Finally, getting out of Seattle on time we got back to Orlando about 3:00PM and to Gainesville by about 5:00. A really great two weeks and a great time. We recommend this trip to anyone who wished to see Alaska - at least this part.